Mustique Suites Curacao

With its limited reception hours, checking into Mustique can prove challenging if arriving after business hours. Be sure to alert the hotel in advance to arrange an after-hours check-in. That said, once you’re through the hotel's very secure gates, Mustique is a safe and simple guest house that fits the bill for low-maintenance travelers looking to be near Willemstad's sights on the cheap. The lobby and connected sitting area are decorated with a mix of Caribbean folk art framed in driftwood and knickknacks like dried starfish, vases, and a twine-wrapped bottle. That's about it in terms of common areas, though, and most guests are here for a basic place to crash for a night or two. Those staying here are from around the world and range from families and couples to solo travelers.

Set on the sometimes busy Roodeweg Street and next to two sprawling cemeteries, Musitique Suites is a five-minute walk from grocery stores, shops, restaurants, and casinos at the edge of downtown Willemstad. The immediate area, Otrobanda, is a UNESCO-designated part of town with plenty of narrow alleys and charming architecture. It's a 15-minute walk to the picturesque Queen Emma Pontoon Bridge, which leads to Punda, Willemstad’s restored colonial-era old city. The seaside Rif Fort, which is now full of restaurants and shops, is a 20-minute walk from the hotel, or five-minute drive. Other nearby attractions include the Kura Hulanda, an anthropological museum that explores Curacao’s culture and history (a 15-minute walk or five-minute drive) and the Tula Museum, which focuses on the history of slavery in Curacao (a 15-minute walk, or two-minute drive). For beach lovers, Veneto Beach is a seven-minute walk from the hotel, while a car will be handy to reach he island's other beaches, like Kontiki and Sea Aquarium -- both around 15 minutes from the hotel by car. Mustique is also located 50-feet from a bus stop with routes heading to the airport and the island’s beaches. Those with wheels or in a cab should expect a 15-minute drive to the airport. 

Mustique’s eight rooms and suites are simple, and have full, queen, or king beds. Decor is kept to a minimum, but is mostly bright and cheerful, including lime green or mustard-yellow walls. Some elements vary, but expect to see dark wood-veneer or wicker headboards, bed runners with matching throw pillows, oil paintings of palm trees, or framed pastel drawings of Curacao street scenes. All rooms also have either freestanding wardrobes or wall-mounted clothing bars with hangers.

Air-conditioning, small flat-screen TVs with satellite channels, and safes are standard in all rooms. Free Wi-Fi is available and most rooms had phones for making local calls, though guests need to buy credit to make calls. Many rooms feature full kitchens, and those that don't at least have mini-fridges. Beds are firm, and some guests find them too hard. Some units include multiple rooms, like the Deluxe Quadruple room that has a small dining area and sofa. The hotel’s white-tiled bathrooms are large and have small windows that allow bright, natural light. They have stand up showers and come with liquid hand soap, though we saw some broken pump dispensers during our visit.

The amenities at Mustique Suites are few and the hotel is best for those looking to spend most of their time touring Willemstad. The front desk has limited operating hours but can help arrange tours and car rentals. We wish the hotel took advantage of its second-floor balcony overlooking the street and put a few seats or a small table to create an outdoor sitting area -- it'd be perfect for an evening nightcap. The hotel’s communal kitchen is stocked with the necessities, including an ice maker, gas range, microwave, coffeemaker, toaster, and a variety of pots, pans, and cooking utensils. Just watch out when you open the pantry door -- the nearby wall-mounted fan is missing its protective front grill and will chop up the door. Free parking is available behind the hotel, and the Wi-Fi network is free and quick.